boundless dress Archives - Patterns for Pirates

Boundless/Boho Babydoll Mash-Up

May 7, 2018

Since the original release of the Boundless Knit Dress, we have seen many requests how to make it a racer back tank dress. With the recent release of the Boho Babydoll (which includes a racer back option), we thought it would be the perfect mashup. So, I’m here to show you how to mash and grade the two bodices to create a racer back Boundless Dress. This will also work with the Essential Tank if you prefer the shape of the racer on that tank.

The Boundless and Boho have different amounts of ease. (read more about ease HERE.) The Boundless is a fitted bodice with negative ease, while the Boho is a relaxed cut top with ease so we can’t really just take the Boho and adjust the width to the boundless, otherwise the armscye would be too wide and cut in across the shoulder since the overall size of the bodice is wider/larger. The Boundless is shown here in the green dashed lines and the Boho is the light purple.

Print out both the boundless knit dress and Boho babydoll bodices and align at the shoulder seam. We will be creating a new Boundless bodice. You can choose which neckline you prefer as the only modification we are making here is to the armscye.
Trace the upper portion of the armscye from the shoulder seam of the Boho Babydoll. Trace the lower portion of the armscye of the Boundless toward the side seam.
Using a French curve, blend the upper and lower portion of the armscye previously traced.
Continue tracing the Boundless along the side seam and neckline. Note- if using a 1/2″ seam allowance, you will want to widen the shoulder by 1/4″. You can also trace as is and just use a 1/4″ seam allowance along the shoulder seam only.
You now have a new Boundless front racer Boundless bodice.

We will repeat similar steps for the back

Print out both the boundless knit dress and Boho babydoll bodices and align at the shoulder seam. We will be creating a new Boundless back bodice.
Trace the Boho bodice from neckline, shoulder seam and top portion of the racer back armscye. Note- if using a 1/2″ seam allowance, you will want to widen the shoulder by 1/4″. You can also trace as is and just use a 1/4″ seam allowance along the shoulder seam only.
Slide the Boho bodice so that it is aligned with the Boundless at the armscye and trace the lower portion of the racer back armscye to the side seam of the Boundless bodice.
Use a French curve if need to match and blend the racer back curve and continue tracing the Boundless bodice. You now have a new Boundless back bodice.

Construction of the bodice/dress is the same as the Boundless. Cut 2 main and cut 2 lining pieces and use the burrito roll method to create a fully lined racer back.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Boundless Dress :: New Pattern + Update!

May 3, 2018

We told you that we’d be going through and updating older patterns, didn’t we? But did we tell you that we would be taking one of our favorite patterns, updating it, AND adding a girl’s version of it as well? Because that’s exactly what we did. And we are so excited to share them with you!

Allow me to re-introduce you to the Boundless Knit Dress and at the same time, introduce you to it’s mini: the Boundless Youth!

Before we get started: If you already own a copy of the original Boundless pattern, you will NOT need to re-purchase to get the updates. If you bought here (PatternsforPirates.com) or on the Craftsy store, you will simply need to sign into your account and re-download the file. If your purchase was via Etsy, email help@patternsforpirates.com (WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE) and you will get an updated file. It’s as easy as that!

Both patterns feature as many options as we could fit into them. We’ve got four sleeve types (sleeveless, short, 3/4 and long), multiple lengths (Mini, Knee, Tea and Maxi), two waistline options (empire and natural waist), and optional pockets. Both the women’s and youth bodices can be made lined or unlined, and the women’s even comes with two neckline options (high and low). It is drafted for women (sizes XXS – Plus 3X), and youth (3M – 14).

**Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for this pattern? We’ve got you covered with an in-depth blog HERE. And in case you’re new to Patterns for Pirates and PDF patterns in general, we have a great blog full of new user tips HERE to help you get started! And, as with all of our current releases and updates, the pdfs now include our layers feature and can be found in Letter, A4 and A0 sizes.

Let’s take a look at the different options!!

Empire + Natural Waist Bodices

Sleeved + Sleeveless Options

Multiple Hem Lengths

Women’s Neckline Options

Are you ready for Boundless amounts of sewing fabulousness? Grab your pattern now!

BOUNDLESS DRESS – YOUTH | BOUNDLESS DRESS – WOMEN’S | BOUNDLESS KNIT DRESS BUNDLE

Need more convincing? Just take a look at this pattern on all of the amazing shapes and sizes of our testers, and get a look at more examples of all the options in our albums in the P4P Facebook group! Women’s Album / Youth Album

And if that didn’t give you enough options, make sure to check out the hacks post to help take your patterns even further.

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Monday May 7th 2018 (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, pirates!

Boundless Nursing Mod

August 5, 2015

I had lots of inquiries about nursing option for the Boundless Knit Dress. I know ladies love to create items they can wear during and after pregnancy! Since the Boundless has a lined bodice it is a super simple modification to do! Here is how I did mine 🙂

I cut out all my pieces normally- main fabric bodice, lining bodice, sleeves, skirt, and I did pockets for this one too! I did a mini length and didn’t add my 3″ I should for being super tall because I wanted a tunic length! I wear tunics and leggings much more then a dress 🙂

Choosing fabrics: I choose a spandex blend for both since the main fabric would be pulled and stretched a lot, you want it to have good recovery and not get stretched out and sloppy by the end of the day! The lining I choose a true spandex. I thought it would be soft on my skin, stretch nicely with the changes throughout the day of your bust measurement and be sturdy enough to do well with cut outs. I also choose a solid b/c it when you lift up you will actually be showing the wrong side of the fabric. You COULD sew the lining were a print shows, but you might make your brain very tired trying to figure it out 😉

You can follow the normal directions in the tutorial all the way through the bodice and skirt construction. ATTACHING the skirt is where we will change it up a bit! 🙂 ***Although, after creating mine I SHOULD have put right side of bodice to WRONG side of lining–this way the sides seams wouldn’t show when you pull up!***

Here is my bodice, again put together just as the directions say in the regular tutorial. For the main bodice fabric I choose to hem with an elastic hidden in the hem. I would’ve use a clear elastic if I hadn’t been all out 😉 so I used what I had! I measurement the finished bodice and cut to that size. I did not add for a seam allowance b/c I want to stretch it EVER so slightly with attaching.

Sew the elastic ends together creating a circle.

Now, I TOTALLY messed up here with pregancy brain, but didn’t want to unpick it! lol… so bare with me with this picture that is wrong! You want to baste the elastic stretching it EVER so slightly (I mean just barely) to the wrong side of the bodice edge. See my mistake 😉 I did right side lol!

Fold under and hem with the elastic enclosed in the hem. (Mine was obviously not enclosed b/c I messed up!)

Now for attaching to the skirt. I recommend using the “Traditional Gathering Method” for the skirt since there is elastic in the bodice, it might start getting bulking with elastic also in the skirt! Attaching the top with right sides together, but only catching the lining. The main bodice piece will be free.

Now you can try on and mark/make cut outs in the lining. I used my handy pen that disappears with a hot iron! I didn’t take pictures with the cut outs 😉 I’ve been asked several times what shape I cut out. I just did a horizontal slit below the apex (fullest part) of my bust. I thought it showed through the least that way. I just opened up the slit to use it.

Here is my finished nursing tunic from the Boundless Knit Dress!

And some with Little Guy sneaking in the action of course! He’s showing off his new toy! And I LOVE his face in the 2nd one, looks like he’s super impressed with the nursing mod! 😉

Love the pockets and the tunic length 🙂

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